Holy Spirit - SHE?

[Aelred_Minor]

This feminization of the Holy Spirit is sometimes associated with making a connection between the Holy Spirit and Holy Wisdom. This connection has some basis in patristics, indeed it’s even present in the Catechism, but the identification of the Logos as Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) is far and away more mainstream Christian thought.

I think the real, underlying reason, for which the connection with Hagia Sophia is usually little more than an excuse, is the fact that in English the word “Spirit” does not imply masculinity as “Father” and “Son” do, and so the third person of the Trinity can be verbally feminized without changing the name He is conventionally given.

 

[sedonaman]

This is very amusing.
This Richard Leonard is saying that a male can’t handle or follow or pay attention to or “find meaning in” a story if the subject is not male or is neutral?
That’s pretty narcissistic of men! And pretty weak.
Maybe that’s why we don’t see many quotes or books by women included in the bible.

And I guess this Richard doesn’t think at all that it is a challenge for women to find meaning in a male-dominated environment or story, too…that it works both ways…(eg–many girls find it hard to connect to certain religions when they look up from the pew and see no women at all involved)…
…and that maybe, we can find a mutually helpful middle-ground and make the language gender-neutral when applicable…so that both sexes have the chance to connect to the stories/religion/etc.

Oh well!

What he writes here, tho, supports my thoughts that I’ve expressed on other threads… that the reason Jeshua didn’t pick any female apostles is because he knew that the men of that time wouldn’t listen to the women, even tho they probably had great words of wisdom to impart.

I, for one, yearn to read a gospel according to mother Mary or Mary Magdalene and hear their insider perspective, thoughts, and insight on all that happened. They were there, the first ones, from the day he was born to the day he died to the day he returned.

But it seems that, on the most part, the female voice is silenced.
So much so, we can’t even use the word “She” or even be neutral for fear of upsetting the men. That’s too bad.

You know what I think? We have Spanish Masses in many parishes. I think you should tell the priests to change all the nouns in their Spanish services, including the homilies, to neuter. Might as well go for the big one.

 

[patrick457]

This is very amusing.
This Richard Leonard is saying that a male can’t handle or follow or pay attention to or “find meaning in” a story if the subject is not male or is neutral?
That’s pretty narcissistic of men! And pretty weak.
Maybe that’s why we don’t see many quotes or books by women included in the bible.

And I guess this Richard doesn’t think at all that it is a challenge for women to find meaning in a male-dominated environment or story, too…that it works both ways…(eg–many girls find it hard to connect to certain religions when they look up from the pew and see no women at all involved)…
…and that maybe, we can find a mutually helpful middle-ground and make the language gender-neutral when applicable…so that both sexes have the chance to connect to the stories/religion/etc.

Oh well!

What he writes here, tho, supports my thoughts that I’ve expressed on other threads… that the reason Jeshua didn’t pick any female apostles is because he knew that the men of that time wouldn’t listen to the women, even tho they probably had great words of wisdom to impart.

I, for one, yearn to read a gospel according to mother Mary or Mary Magdalene and hear their insider perspective, thoughts, and insight on all that happened. They were there, the first ones, from the day he was born to the day he died to the day he returned.

But it seems that, on the most part, the female voice is silenced.
So much so, we can’t even use the word “She” or even be neutral for fear of upsetting the men. That’s too bad.

Ah, but it is ultimately women who stand by Jesus at the end and first bring news of the Resurrection.

 

[Aleema]

The Holy Spirit is a HE
The Blessed Trinity
3 persons in the One God
Yes Our Blessed Lady the Holy Virgin is Spouse to the Holy Spirit, daughter of the Eternal Father, Mother of the Beloved Son.
I rest my case
Amen!!!

 

[Mintaka]

Theoretically, you and me and Cousin Bob and Aunt Susie and Pope Benedict could all call the Holy Spirit “She” on occasion, with no harm done, because we understand that the Holy Spirit is pure spirit and beyond gender.

However.

Practical experience has shown that it’s very stupid to call the Holy Spirit “She,” because people start doing and saying stupid things and blasphemous things, and basically doing their best to turn the Holy Spirit into some sort of pagan goddess. I’ve seen it happen. It isn’t pretty. I’m glad it’s going away.

So it’s prudent and kind to call the Holy Spirit and the Father “He,” because on the whole that works better, and because on the whole, that’s the gender role He’s chosen to use in His interactions with us. (Especially in the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary and making her conceive.) You can regard other images as good correctives to remind us that He’s not male per se.

And yes, there are some nice Vatican papers saying just about the same thing, but in much more theological language. Our current pope wrote most of them when he was working for our former pope, so don’t expect any changes there.

 

[mangy_dog]

You are misinterpreting Matthew. In the sense it is used there, “blasphemy against the Spirit” refers to the deliberate refusal of God’s forgiveness. It does not mean that blasphemous talk about the Holy Spirit is unforgivable.

It’s no wonder you’re suspended.

 

[sedonaman]

Another cog in the mighty N.O.W. wheel turning to leave men without a role in society. :sad_yes: :sad_yes: :sad_yes: